PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-ANTIBODIE S AMONG PREGNANT-WOMEN AND BLOOD-DONORS IN BENIN (WEST-AFRICA)

In order to precise if the hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a potent ially important infection for public health in Benin, the authors have studied the seroprevalence rate of this virus in august 1991, among t wo groups of population in Cotonou: 349 donors of blood (including 321 males); mean of ages: 28,7 y.-o., 149 pregnant women (mean of ages: 2 4,5 y.-o.). They have used an ELISA test (Innotest HCV(R) Innogenetis NV Antwerpen, Belgium) and retested the positive serums by LIA (Line I mmune Assay, Inno LIA HCV). A serum reacting with at least one peptide has been considered as positive. In the donors of blood and the pregn ant women, a prevalence rate of respectively 2,3 % (+/- 1,2) and 0,7 % (+/- 0,9) has been established. These rates are worthy to be compared to those reported in Niger among the same types of population and wit h the same serologic tests. They are much inferior to those noted in E ast Gabon or South Cameroon: respectively 6,5 % and 9,8 %. This prelim inary study has to be enlarged by investigations, which may precise th e consequences of HCV presence in Benin for public health in this coun try.